Pipe heater

ABSTRACT

A heater for heating elongated objects including an elongated strip of flexible material having first and second ends and elongated opposite side edges defining a width therebetween. The strip of material comprises a fiber reinforced elastomeric material having at least a first portion that is set in a spiral. The heater also includes at least one elongated electrically conductive heating element imbedded in the elongated strip of elastomeric material. A thermostat is operably coupled to the heating element, and the thermostat is encapsulated in an elastomeric dielectric material that is bonded to the elastomeric material of the strip to provide a waterproof seal around the thermostat. The heater further includes an electrical power line extending from the thermostat for supplying power to the heater.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/241,529, filed Sep. 30, 2005, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various heaters have been developed for heating pipes, tubes, conduitsand the like. Pipe heaters may be used to heat a water pipe in a houseor building to prevent freezing of water in the pipe when thetemperature drops below freezing. Also, such heaters may be utilized toheat various conduits or other lines in aircraft or the like that areexposed to low temperatures at high altitudes. Furthermore, such heatersmay be utilized to heat pipes, conduits, or the like that are utilizedin chemical processing and refining operations and the like.

A known type of heater for such applications comprises an elongated flattape-like heating element that is wrapped around the pipe, rod or othersuch structure that is to be heated. Such heaters may be prone tounwinding from the pipe, and may not maintain solid contact between theheater and the pipe along the length of the heater, thereby reducing theeffectiveness of the heater.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is a heater for heating elongatedobjects including an elongated strip of flexible dielectric materialhaving first and second ends and elongated opposite side edges defininga width therebetween. The elongated strip of flexible dielectricmaterial also has inner and outer faces defining a thicknesstherebetween and extending between the opposite side edges. The strip ofdielectric material comprises a fiber reinforced dielectric elastomericmaterial having at least a first portion that is set in a spiral withthe inner face facing inwardly, and the outer face facing outwardly. Theheater also includes at least one elongated electrically conductiveheating element imbedded in the elongated strip of dielectric material.A thermostat is operably coupled to the heating element, and thethermostat is encapsulated in an elastomeric dielectric material that isbonded to the dielectric elastomeric material of the strip of dielectricmaterial. The heater further includes an electrical power line extendingfrom the thermostat for supplying power to the heater.

Another aspect of the present invention is a heater for heatingelongated objects including an elongated strip of flexible dielectricmaterial having first and second ends and a first portion having firstopposite side edge portions defining a first centerline and a firstwidth therebetween. The elongated strip further defines inner and outerfaces extending between the first opposite side edge portions. The firstportion of the strip of dielectric material includes a spiral with theinner face facing inwardly and the outer face facing outwardly. Thefirst end defines an end portion having a second side having second sideedge portions and defining a second centerline between the second sideedge portions. The end portion is angled relative to the first portion,and the first centerline is disposed at an angle of between zero andninety degrees relative to the second centerline.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of forming aheater for elongated objects. The method includes providing an elongatedstrip of heat curable elastomeric material, and an elongated mandrelhaving a smooth, continuous cylindrical outer surface. The elongatedstrip is wrapped around the mandrel to form a spiral, and the elongatedstrip is heated to set the elongated strip in a spiral shape.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the presentinvention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled inthe art by reference to the following specification, claims, andappended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heater according to one aspect of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged view of a portion of the heater ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view showing the heater being wrapped on a pipeor the like;

FIG. 4 shows a strip of uncured elastomeric material being wrapped on amandrel having a smooth cylindrical outer surface;

FIG. 5 is a partially schematic cross-sectional view of a mold utilizedto encapsulate the thermostat with elastomeric material;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the heater according toone aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the heater according toanother aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, itis to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings and described in thefollowing specification are simply exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics relating to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

With reference to FIG. 1, a heater 1 according to one aspect of thepresent invention includes an elongated strip of flexible dielectricmaterial 2 having a first end 7 and a second end 8 and elongatedopposite side edges 9 and 10 defining a width W1 (see also FIG. 3)therebetween. The elongated strip 2 defines a thickness T (FIG. 2)between an inner face 11 and an outer face 12. The inner and outer faces11 and 12 extend between the opposite side edges 9 and 10. As discussedin more detail below, the elongated strip of dielectric material 2 mayinclude a first layer 13 that includes fiberglass reinforcing fibers,and an elastomeric matrix such as a silicone rubber material. Theelongated strip 2 may also include a layer 14 of silicone rubber orother suitable elastomeric material that does not include fiberreinforcement.

The elongated strip 2 of flexible dielectric material includes at leasta first portion 15 that is set in a spiral with the inner face 11 facinginwardly, and the outer face 12 facing outwardly. At least one elongatedelectrically conductive heating element such as wire 16 is imbedded inthe elongated strip 2 of dielectric material. The wire 16 includes afirst portion 16A and a second 16B that are generally parallel to oneanother, with an end portion 16C interconnecting the wire portions 16Aand 16B. The wire portions 16A and 16B are electrically coupled to athermostat 3 that is encapsulated in a layer of elastomeric material 17.The elastomeric material 17 is similar to the elastomeric material oflayers 13, 14, and the elastomeric material 17 tightly bonds to thefirst layer 13 to form a water-tight seal at the junction 18 where theelastomeric material 17 is bonded to the first layer 13. An electricalpower line 4 is operably connected to the thermostat 3, and includes aconventional plug 19 for supplying power to the heater 1.

With reference to FIG. 2, a flexible strap 20 includes hook-and-loopfastening surfaces 21 and 22. A central portion 23 of strap 20 isimbedded in elastomeric material 17 to thereby secure the strap 20 tothe elastomeric material 17 and thermostat 3. When the heater 1 isinstalled on a pipe 25 or the like (FIG. 3), the strap 20 is wrappedaround the pipe 25, and securely holds the end 7 of heater 1 inposition.

With reference to FIG. 3, the elongated strip 2 defines opposite sideedges 9 and 10 defining a width W1, and a first centerline CL1. The end7 of elongated strip 2 includes an end portion 27 having opposite sideedges 28 and 29 that define a width W2 and a second centerline CL2. Inthe illustrated example, the width W2 is substantially greater than thewidth W1. More specifically, in the illustrated example the width W1 isabout 1.00 inches, and the width W2 is about 1.25 inches. The greaterwidth end portion 27 provides additional space for mounting ofthermostat 3, and the narrower width W1 permits closer spacing of theheating wire sections 16A and 16B for each loop of the spiral. In theillustrated example, the angle “A1” between centerline CL1 andcenterline CL2 is between 0° and 90°, and preferably about 30°. Theangle A1 is chosen to generally align the centerline CL2 with thecenterline of the spiraled first portion 15 CL3. Because the thermostat3 is substantially longer than it is wide, the angle of the end portion27 relative to spiraled first portion 15 permits the end 27 andthermostat 3 to fit closely against the outer surface 26 of pipe 25 orother such item to be heated. In the illustrated example, the angle A2formed by the spiraled first portion 15 is equal to the angle A1 tothereby align the centerline CL2 of end portion 27 with the centerlineCL3 of spiraled first portion 15 and pipe 25.

With reference to FIG. 3, the heater 1 may be installed to a pipe 25 orthe like by positioning end 8 of elongated strip 2 against the outersurface 26 of pipe 25. The spiraled first portion 15 of elongated strip2 can then be wound around the pipe 25, and the end 7 is then securelypositioned on the pipe 25 utilizing strap 20. Because the first portion15 of elongated strip 2 is set in a spiral shape, the first portion 15of elongated strip 2 will remain tightly wound around the pipe 25. Ingeneral, the first portion 15 may be set in a spiral that is smaller indiameter than pipe 25, such that the first portion 15 remains tightlywound on pipe 25. Because the elastomeric material of elongated strip 2is flexible, the heater 1 may be wound around a pipe 25 or other conduitor part having a range of sizes.

With further reference to FIG. 4, during fabrication, a strip 30 ofuncured elastomeric material is cut from a flat sheet. The material iscut to provide a first portion 31 having a width W1, and a secondportion 32 having a width W2. End 33 of strip 30 is then positionedagainst outer surface 34 of a cylindrical mandrel 35, and the firstportion 31 of strip 30 is wrapped around mandrel 35 at an angle A2. Thefirst portion 1 is wrapped on the mandrel 35 until around line 36forming the intersection between second portion 32 and first portion 31,such that the second portion 32 remains generally flat. Alternately, theentire strip 30 may be wrapped around mandrel 35, including secondportion 32. The gap or spacing “S” between opposite edges 37 and 38 offirst portion 31 of strip 30 is approximately uniform throughout thespiraled first portion 15. The outer surface 34 of mandrel 35 is asmooth, continuous cylindrical surface without raised spiral portions orthe like. Thus, the spacing S and spiral angle A2 may be readily variedand set at a desired value by simply wrapping the strip 30 of uncuredmaterial at the desired spiral angle.

After the strip 30 is secured to the mandrel 35, the heating wire 16 iswrapped around outer surface 39 of strip 30 to form an elongated loophaving parallel portions 16A and 16B, and an end portion 16C. After theheating wire 16 is wrapped around strip 30, a second strip 40 of uncuredmaterial having substantially the same dimensions and shape as strip 30is wrapped around mandrel 35 on top of heating wire 16 and uncured strip30. End portion 42 of strip 40 may include one or more openings 41.After the strip 40 is wrapped around strip 30, ends 43 and 44 of wiresections 16A and 16B, respectively, may be fed through opening 41, suchthat the ends 43 and 44 remain exposed after end portion 42 of strip 40is positioned on end portion 32 of strip 30. Alternately, if one or moreopenings 41 are not cut in strip 40, the ends 43 and 44 of wire 16 maysimply be pushed through strip 40 at a central portion of end portion 42of strip 40 to thereby expose the ends 43 and 44 of heating wire 16. Ina preferred embodiment, at least one of the strips 30 or 40 includesfiberglass reinforcement or the like imbedded in a matrix of siliconerubber elastomer, and the other strip comprises a sheet of uncuredsilicone rubber elastomer.

After the strips 30 and 40 and the heating wire 16 are secured to themandrel 35, the assembly is placed in an autoclave and heated to curethe strips 30 and 40. During the curing process, the elastomericmaterial of strips 30 and 40 bonds together to form elongated strip 2.

After the first and second strips 30 and 40 are cured in the autoclaveto form a first spiraled portion 15, the strip 2 is removed from themandrel 35, and thermostat 3 is soldered to the ends 43 and 44 ofheating wire 16. The thermostat 3 is electrically connected to the ends43 and 44 of wire 16 utilizing solder or the like. With furtherreference to FIG. 5, the thermostat 3 and end 32 of elongated strip 2are positioned in a mold tool 46. The thermostat 3 is positioned withincavity 47 of mold 46, and uncured room temperature vulcanizing (RTV)elastomeric material 48 is poured into the cavity 47 around thermostat3. Cavity 47 is open along a top side 49, such that the upper surface 50of the RTV material is exposed. Prior to cure of the RTV material 48,strap 20 is pressed into the upper surface 50 of the RTV material 48.The strap 20 becomes securely bonded to the thermostat 3 as RTV material48 cures. When the RTV material 48 cures, it forms a water-tight bond atthe junction 18 with elastomeric strip 40 to thereby provide awaterproof seal around thermostat 3. The RTV material 48 also securelybonds the thermostat 3 to strip 2.

A variety of elastomeric materials may be utilized to form the spiraledfirst portion 15 of strip 2. With reference to FIG. 6, the elongatedstrip 2 may include a strip of silicone elastomeric material 30, and astrip of material 40 having a silicone rubber matrix and fiber glassreinforcement that provides additional strength, while still permittingflexibility. As discussed above, the heating wire 16 is imbedded in theelongated strip 2 between the layers 30 and 40. When cured, the layers30 and 40 intermix, such that a distinct dividing line 51 between thelayers 30 and 40 is no longer present. Another example of an elongatedstrip 2A according to another aspect of the present invention isillustrated in FIG. 7. The elongated strip 2A includes a middle layer 53including fiber glass reinforcement fibers, a silicone rubber upperlayer 54, and a silicone rubber lower layer 55. Numerous othercombinations of layers are also contemplated by the present invention,such that the examples illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 are for purposes ofillustration only, and are not intended to limit the scope of thepresent invention.

In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that modifications may be made to the inventionwithout departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modificationsare to be considered as included in the following claims, unless theseclaims by their language expressly state otherwise.

1. A heater for heating elongated objects, comprising: an elongatedstrip of flexible dielectric material having first and second ends and afirst portion adjacent the first end having first opposite side edgeportions defining a first centerline and a first width therebetween, theelongated strip further defining inner and outer faces extending betweenthe first opposite side edge portions, the first portion of the strip ofdielectric material comprising a spiral when wrapped about an elongatedobject to be heated with the inner face facing inwardly and the outerface facing outwardly, the second end defining a second portion havingsecond side edge portions and defining a second centerline between thesecond side edge portions, wherein the second portion is angled relativeto the first portion, and the second centerline is disposed at an angleof between zero and ninety degrees relative to the first centerline; atleast one elongated electrically conductive heating element imbedded inthe elongated strip of dielectric material; a thermostat operablycoupled to the heating element; and an electrical power supply lineconnected to the thermostat to provide electrical power to the heater.2. The heater of claim 1, wherein: the angle is about thirty degrees. 3.The heater of claim 1, wherein: the dielectric material comprises anelastomer.
 4. The heater of claim 3, wherein: the elongated stripcomprises fiber reinforcing strands imbedded in the elastomer.
 5. Theheater of claim 4, including: a hook and loop type strap secured to theheater adjacent the first end of the elongated strip of dielectricmaterial.
 6. The heater of claim 5, wherein: the thermostat isencapsulated in dielectric material.
 7. The heater of claim 6, wherein:the dielectric material encapsulating the thermostat has substantiallythe same composition as the dielectric material of the elongated strip.8. The heater of claim 7, wherein: the dielectric material comprises anelastomeric material; and a portion of the strap is imbedded into theelastomeric material encapsulating the thermostat.
 9. The heater ofclaim 1, wherein: the first width is about 1.00 inch, and the secondwidth is about 1.25 inches.
 10. The heater of claim 1, wherein: thespiral defines a primary centerline, and the first centerline isgenerally parallel to the primary centerline.
 11. The heater of claim 1,wherein: at least a portion of the elongated strip of dielectricmaterial is preformed in a spiral shape.
 12. A heater for heatingelongated objects, comprising: an elongated strip of elastomericmaterial having first and second ends and a first portion defining afirst centerline, the first portion of the elongated strip furtherdefining inner and outer faces, the first portion of the strip ofdielectric material comprising a spiral with the inner face facinginwardly and the outer face facing outwardly, the elongated strip ofelastomeric material further having a second portion defining a secondcenterline, wherein the second portion is angled relative to the firstportion, and the second centerline is disposed at an angle of betweenzero and ninety degrees relative to the first centerline; at least oneelongated electrically conductive heating element imbedded in theelongated strip of dielectric material; a thermostat operably coupled tothe heating element; and an electrical power supply line connected tothe thermostat to provide electrical power to the heater.
 13. The heaterof claim 12, wherein: the angle is about thirty degrees.
 14. The heaterof claim 12, wherein: the elastomeric material comprises siliconerubber.
 15. The heater of claim 14, wherein: the elongated stripcomprises fiber reinforcing strands imbedded in the silicone rubber. 16.The heater of claim 12, including: a hook and loop type strap secured tothe heater adjacent the second end of the elongated strip of elastomericmaterial.
 17. The heater of claim 12, wherein: the first portion of theelongated strip of elastomeric material defines first opposite edgeportions that are generally parallel to one another.
 18. The heater ofclaim 12, wherein: the second portion of the elongated strip ofelastomeric material defines second side edge portions that are parallelto one another.